More and more building designers, architects and developers are beginning to see the ‘solar light’ and considering energy efficient heat pump systems as an alternative to gas and electric hot water systems. No longer are electric and gas water heaters the only option when it comes to commercial hot water systems like those found in high rise units and apartments.

Commercial solar heat pump systems offer reduced running costs along with reduced greenhouse gas emissions, as the units use significantly reduced power loads to achieve desired hot water output. Coupled with the low capital investment, this makes heat pump systems an attractive alternative.

Quantum Energy Technologies have been producing heat pumps for 27 years, and have a worldwide patent on their technology, which allows tanks to work in temperatures as low as minus 10°C without any back up element or assistance.

The commercial units have been installed all around Australia in projects from large international hotels, Olympic venues, caravan parks, swimming pools and apartment buildings. A system can be designed to suit the application based on information provided by the building owner or developer. In-house developed software then uses this information to calculate peak loads, daily hot water usage, any heat losses associated with ring-mains systems, and will estimate the correct system for the job. This information also calculates reduction in energy usage, reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, and payback period. The reduction in energy usage and annual running costs can be up to 75 per cent when compared to electric and LPG gas systems.

Quantum recently undertook an installation at the Gateway Village Resort Caravan Park in Brisbane. Two electric storage heaters were replaced with Quantum Titan Heat Pumps. Initial projections in May 2007 showed an annual running cost saving of up to $3,150 compared to the existing electric system. Feedback from BIG4 Brisbane Gateway Village Resort indicates this amount is easily achievable. Director of Gateway Village, Murray Holland said the resort is now looking at Quantum heat pump options for its housekeeping building, holiday cabins and swimming pool.

Solar heat pumps explained

A solar heat pump is a system whereby heat from the ambient air is absorbed by a refrigerant gas (evaporator). This refrigerant gas, which has an ambient temperature of minus 25°C, is compressed using a small compressor, which raises the gas’ temperature and pressure. This high temperature gas then passes through special pipes wrapped around the outside of the water storage tank (condenser), causing the heat to be transferred from the hot pipes to the water inside the storage tank.

Once the heat from the compressed gas has been transferred to the water storage tank, the gas becomes a liquid again as it has lost its heat. This liquid gas then passes through an expansion device (TX valve) and back to the evaporator. The cycle is then repeated.

The Quantum Solar Heat Pump is very efficient in that the only electricity required, is for the compressor, fan and digital display panel. It will work in temperatures from as low as -10°C up to 40°C both day and night, rain or shine, very efficiently without the need for any boosting.

Domestic hot water

Homeowners are increasingly taking advantage of government rebates for solar hot water installation, which includes heat pumps in most cases. Energy intensive electric hot water systems are being replaced in favour of environmentally friendly options like solar heat pumps, which will cut home hot water energy consumption by up to 75 per cent.

For most households, hot water is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, accounting on average for 35 per cent of the total energy consumption per household. Comparing an electric system at 100 per cent energy efficiency, heat pump systems are up to 362 per cent energy efficient, whilst a gas system is approximately 75 to 92 per cent efficient.

Solar heat pump hot water systems can be easily installed and because they are solar units without roof panels, the cost and difficulty of installation is significantly reduced.

Energy savings and Government Rebates

With domestic electric hot water systems contributing significant tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per year, the Federal Government’s Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) initiative allows for certificates to be collected when a solar or solar heat pump hot water system is installed to replace electric, gas or existing solar hot water units in the home.

RECs are created by registered persons, validated by the Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator, traded between registered persons, and eventually surrendered to demonstrate liability compliance against the requirements of the Australian Government’s mandatory renewable energy target. The current amount of REC rebate available for Quantum’s standard 270 litre unit is $1,001.

The Australian Greenhouse Office also offers a $1,000 rebate to replace electric storage hot water units with solar and heat pump hot water units, in addition to the RECs above. Other state government rebates are also available, for instance in NSW the Climate Change Fund offers a $600 rebate to replace electric storage hot water units.

For example, if you lived in NSW, replaced your existing electric hot water unit with Quantum’s standard 270 litre unit, you could obtain rebates totalling $2,601 (certain conditions apply).

The future of hot water

Sales of heat pump hot water systems have increased over the last year, no doubt as a result of government initiatives, an increase in consumer awareness of the solar heat pump product, and the need to reduce household greenhouse gas emissions.

In the lead up to last year’s federal election, both leading political parties addressed climate change issues.

The elected Rudd Government promised to phase out electric hot water systems by 2012, while continuing the $1,000 rebate under the Coalition’s Solar Hot Water Rebate Program. Electric hot water systems will no longer be installed in new homes or those with access to reticulated natural gas by 2010, with electric hot water systems phased out as replacements in both new and existing homes by 2012.

It seems, therefore, that if you don’t have a solar heat pump or solar hot water system installed in your home now, you soon will have – irrespective of which party governs Australia beyond 2010.

Similar developments are evident in the commercial market to improve efficiency and embrace solar and heat pump hot water and building heating options. The Federal Government has announced a $90 million Green Building Fund to help Australian businesses implement cost-saving energy efficiency measures through the retrofitting and retro-commissioning of commercial buildings. The office sector alone is responsible for 27 per cent of commercial building emissions and 3.8 per cent of Australia’s total greenhouse pollution.